Multi-protocol communications routing optimization

Abstract

A communications switching system employing multi-protocol routing optimization which utilizes predetermined and measured parameters in accordance with a set of user priorities in determining the selection of a communications path to be utilized for transmitting a data file to a remote destination. The switching system has a first memory for storing the data file to be transferred, a second memory for storing predetermined parameters such as cost data associated with each of the communications paths, a third memory for storing a set of user priorities regarding the transmission of data files, and means for measuring the value of variable parameters such as file transfer speed associated with each of the communications paths. Processor means are operatively associated with the second and third memories and the variable parameter measuring means for determining which of the plurality of communications paths should be utilized for transferring the data file in accordance with the set of user priorities, the predetermined communications path parameters, and the measured variable parameters. The switching system further comprises input means for allowing a user to change the user priorities in the third memory prior to transmitting a file.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. In a communications switching system comprising a plurality of interfaces, each of the interfaces interconnected with an associated communications path capable of transferring a data file to a remote destination, each of the communications paths having predetermined parameters associated therewith stored in a memory in the switching system and variable parameters associated therewith, a method of determining which of the plurality of communications paths should be utilized for transferring a data file, the method comprising the steps of: 
       analyzing a property of the data file to be transferred;  
       measuring said variable parameters for each of said paths;  
       analyzing the measured variable parameters and the predetermined parameters; and  
       determining which of the paths provides an optimal set of characteristics for transferring the file to the remote destination in accordance with the analyzed variable parameters and the analyzed data file property.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  in which the determining step analyzes a set of programmed user priorities in determining which of the paths provides the optimal set of characteristics for transferring the file to the remote destination. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  in which the user priorities are predefined and stored in the switching system memory. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  in which the path that provides the optimal set of characteristics includes a switched virtual circuit. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  in which the path that provides the optimal set of characteristics includes a private virtual circuit. 
     
     
       6. A communications switching system comprising: 
       a first memory for holding a data file to be transferred to a remote destination, the data file having at least one associated property;  
       a plurality of interfaces coupled with the first memory, each of the interfaces interconnected with an associated communications path capable of transferring the data file with the remote destination;  
       a second memory for storing predetermined parameters associated with each of the communications paths;  
       means for measuring the value of a variable parameter associated with each of said communications paths; and  
       processor means operatively associated with the second and third memories and the variable parameter measuring means for determining which of the plurality of communications paths should be utilized for transferring the data file in accordance with the predetermined communications path parameters and the measured variable parameters.  
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6  further comprising a third memory for storing a set of user priorities regarding the transmission of data files, and wherein the processor means determines which of the plurality of communications paths should be utilized for transferring the data file in accordance with the user priorities. 
     
     
       8. The switching system of  claim 7  further comprising input means for allowing dynamic changes to the user priorities in the third memory. 
     
     
       9. The switching system of  claim 6  in which the communication path utilized for transfering the data files includes a switched virtual circuit. 
     
     
       10. The switching system of  claim 6  in which the communication path utilized for transfering the data files includes a private virtual circuit. 
     
     
       11. In an apparatus comprising a plurality of interfaces, each of said interfaces interconnected with an associated data path capable of transferring data towards a remote destination, each of said data paths having predetermined parameters associated therewith stored in a memory and variable parameters associated therewith, a method of intercepting and filtering the data and determining which of said plurality of data paths should be utilized for transferring the data towards the remote destination, said method comprising the steps of: 
       defining one or more first variable parameters for filtering the data;  
       receiving the data;  
       filtering the received data;  
       identifying the filtered data which matches said defined first variable parameter;  
       copying the identified data;  
       analyzing a property of the copied data to be transferred;  
       measuring a second variable parameter for at least one path;  
       analyzing said measured second variable parameter and said predetermined parameters;  
       determining which of said paths provides an optimal set of characteristics for transferring the data towards the remote destination in accordance with said analyzed second variable parameter, predetermined parameters, and analyzed data property; and  
       transferring the copied data to one or more of the remote destinations.  
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  further including filtering the data according to content information contained in the data. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11  further including filtering the data according to transmission information contained in the data. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  wherein the transmission information includes source information for the data. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13  wherein the transmission information includes destination information for the data. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11  further including setting authorization parameters for monitoring the data. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16  further including copying only the data matching the authorization parameters. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 11  further including identifying data originating from a specified source. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 11  further including identifying data directed to a specified destination. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Switched Multimegabit Data Service Interface Protocol. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Switched Multimegabit Data Service (“SMDS”). 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Distributed Open Signaling Architecture (“DOSA”). 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (“DOCSIS”). 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Stream Control Transfer Protocol (“SCTP”). 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes an h. 323  protocol. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Media Gateway Control (“MEGACO”) protocol. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Public Switched Telephone Network Internet Interworking (“PINT”) protocol. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a SPRINT protocol. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Reservation Protocol (“RSVP”). 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Media Gateway Control Protocol (“MGCP”). 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes an Internet Protocol Device Control (“IPDC”) protocol. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Differentiated Services (“DIFFSERV”) protocol. 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Voice Over Cable Television (“VoCTV”) protocol. 
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a GR-303 interface to a Class 5 switch. 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a CAS 2000 DOCSIS (data over cable service interface specification) 1.1-based cable modem termination system (“CMTS”). 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”). 
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Transmission Control Protocol (“TCP”). 
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes an Internet Protocol (“IP”). 
     
     
       39. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Sequenced Packet Exchange (“SPX”) protocol. 
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes an Internetwork Packet Exchange (“IPX”) protocol. 
     
     
       41. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”). 
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Simple Object Access Protocol (“SOAP”). 
     
     
       43. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Quality of Service for Business Multimedia Conferencing protocol. 
     
     
       44. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes an Asynchronous Transfer Model (“ATM”) protocol. 
     
     
       45. The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes an Multiprotocol Over ATM (“MPOA”). 
     
     
       46. An apparatus connectable to a communications network, the apparatus comprising: 
       a first memory for holding data to be transferred to a remote destination;  
       a plurality of interfaces coupled with said first memory, each of said interfaces interconnected with an associated data path capable of transferring the data towards the remote destination;  
       a second memory for storing predetermined parameters associated with each of the data paths;  
       means for measuring a value of a variable parameter associated with the data; and  
       processor means operatively associated with the first and second memories and said variable measuring parameter means for determining which of said interfaces and associated paths should be used to transfer the data in accordance with with said predetermined parameters and said measured variable parameters.  
     
     
       47. The apparatus of  claim 46  further including processor means for filtering the data according to content information contained in the data. 
     
     
       48. The apparatus of  claim 46  further including processor means for filtering the data according to transmission information contained in the data. 
     
     
       49. The apparatus of  claim 48  wherein the transmission information includes source information for the data. 
     
     
       50. The apparatus of  claim 48  wherein the transmission information includes destination information for the data. 
     
     
       51. The apparatus of  claim 46  further including processor means for setting authorization parameters for monitoring the data. 
     
     
       52. The apparatus of  claim 51  further including processor means for copying only the data matching the authorization parameters. 
     
     
       53. The apparatus of  claim 46  further including processor means for identifying data originating from a specified source. 
     
     
       54. The apparatus of  claim 46  further including processor means for identifying data directed to a specified destination. 
     
     
       55. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Switched Multimegabit Data Service Interface Protocol (“SIP”). 
     
     
       56. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes an h.323 protocol. 
     
     
       57. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Media Gateway Control (“MEGACO”) protocol. 
     
     
       58. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Public Switched Telephone Network Internet Interworking (“PINT”) protocol. 
     
     
       59. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a SPRINT protocol. 
     
     
       60. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Reservation Protocol (“RSVP”). 
     
     
       61. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Media Gateway Control Protocol (“MGCP”). 
     
     
       62. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes an Internet Protocol Device Control (“IPDC”) protocol. 
     
     
       63. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Differentiated Services (“DIFFSERV”) protocol. 
     
     
       64. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Voice Over Cable Television (“VoCTV”) protocol. 
     
     
       65. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”). 
     
     
       66. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Transmission Control Protocol (“TCP”). 
     
     
       67. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes an Internet Protocol (“IP”). 
     
     
       68. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”). 
     
     
       69. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Simple Object Access Protocol (“SOAP”). 
     
     
       70. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes a Quality of Service for Business Multimedia Conferencing protocol. 
     
     
       71. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein at least one of said interfaces utilizes an Asynchronous Transfer Model (“ATM”) protocol.